Pictured in the photo left to right are:
Maria Heege, Marilyn Roman, Olivia Mull, Gary Mull, Bradley Mull, Jeanne McNeal, Brent May and William Lemmon
(Canton, OH) May 20, 2019 – On Thursday, May 16, United Way of Greater Stark County’s first Inspired Youth Award was presented to Bradley Mull of Plain Township at a special assembly in the Oakwood Middle School auditorium. Over 200 of Bradley’s classmates attended along with his parents, Brent May – Superintendent of Plain Local Schools, Jeanne McNeal – Principal of Oakwood Middle School, Rev. Marilyn Roman – Pastor of Hope Outreach Ministry and William J. Lemmon of Lemmon Development. Bradley was also the recipient of the Youth Leadership Award, one of three awards given by United Way of Greater Stark County to recognize outstanding community volunteers.
Criteria for the new Inspired Youth Award include: demonstrates initiative, leadership and creativity in their service to others; serves as a role model for others in their community; inspires others to join them in their effort; helps improve the overall quality of life of fellow citizens and the community in the areas of health, education or financial stability; engaged in a volunteer activity that occurred at least partly during the 12 months prior to the date of nomination; resident of Greater Stark County; and between the ages of 13 – 18.
The Youth Leadership Award recognizes one outstanding young leader from Stark County who demonstrates outstanding volunteer leadership in their school, community or group and is under 18 years old.
Bradley Mull, an eighth grader at Oakwood Middle School, is the son of Gary W. and Olivia M. Mull. Bradley is 14 years old and has participated in many collection projects that provided food and clothing to those in need including collecting 400 blankets for the Hope Outreach Ministry drive in March 2016.
William J. Lemmon of Lemmon Development, who nominated Bradley for the award, says, “Bradley is a young man concerned about the need for warm clothing and blankets for the poor and homeless in Canton. His success has been amazing in my opinion and has allowed Hope Outreach Ministry to grow and serve its community.” Mr. Lemmon chose to nominate Bradley for the award after learning of his volunteer work at Hope Outreach Ministry, a clothing and hot-meal ministry which serves more than 900 people weekly. After learning about the difference Bradley was making, Lemmon purchased and upgraded the former St. Paul’s Church social hall and donated it to Hope Outreach Ministry allowing them to provide their services to a larger number of residents in their community.
“As many of you know, volunteer work can be empowering and teach you many things that you do not have the chance to learn in a classroom,” says United Way of Greater Stark County President & CEO Maria Heege. “We believe in the passion and power of youth to affect positive change in their community. Volunteering gives them real-life experiences that provide unique opportunities which foster leadership. This new award recognizes the extraordinary contributions of young individuals, who volunteer their time and skills to better their community in the areas of health, education and financial stability, and inspire others to join in the efforts, creating the “multiplier effect.”
To learn more about what United Way of Greater Stark County has done in the community, visit our web page at www.uwstark.org/news-and-events/press-releases.
About United Way of Greater Stark County
United
Way of Greater Stark County fights for the health, education and financial
stability of every person in every community. We win by living United. By
forging unlikely partnerships. By finding new solutions to old problems. By
mobilizing the best resources. And by inspiring individuals to join the fight
against their community’s most daunting social crisis. Our mission is to
improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of our communities in Greater
Stark County. In order to live better, we must live United. For more
information about United Way of Greater Stark County visit www.uwstark.org. Offices are at
401 Market Avenue North, Suite 300, Canton, Ohio 44702. (330) 491-0445.